Here goes ---
We've now each agreed to the launch of the Swann family "Healthy Living Contest" (aka "The Biggest Loser."). The goal is to eat healthy and exercise, with the added benefit of losing weight and winning money! Alicia has generously agreed to set up and maintain a blog site for us where we can record our weekly weight loss and our weekly point totals, and share
tips, successes, and recipes, Ala the Nielson family blog. Alicia will set up our blog site this week, post the rules, information, and recommendations below, and send us each a password. (Thanks, Alicia!) We begin Saturday, April 17. Please send Alicia your beginning weight that day.
There are 5 simple rules to this contest:
1. Eat 3 meals daily
2. Eat 2 healthy snacks daily (one mid morning, one mid afternoon)
3. Exercise daily 5 days a week for at least one half hour per day
4. Observe portion control guidelines*
5. No snacks after dinner
*Portion control guidelines (courtesy of Weight Watchers).
The size of your palm (minus your fingers) is a portion size of chicken, fish, or meat. (The size of a deck of cards works too.)
Your fist is about the size of 1 cup of something or 1 medium or whole fruit
When eating dinner, fill your plate according to these proportions: one quarter with chicken, fish, or a protein-rich food, one quarter with a grain-based side dish, and the remaining half with vegetables or fruit.
When eating snacks like crackers, cookies, or ice cream, choose a single serving size
For each day that all 5 rules are observed, each participant earns 20 points. The person with the highest point total at the end of 3 months wins $150.00. Then we start points over for the second three months, with the participant with the highest point total at the end of 3 months winning $150.00. Bonus points will be given each week for not drinking soda. Fifteen points will be awarded for each week that no soda is consumed. Alicia will provide a spot on the blog where everyone posts weekly point totals.
The second way to win money is to lose the most body weight percentage by the end of 3 months. Winnings are again $150.00 at the end of 3 months and $150.00 again at the end of six months. I'll be participating too.If I win, I don't have to pay the $150.00 :-)
Additional good health guidelines:
Eat 4-5 servings of veggies and fruits each day
Try to stay with whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, oats brown rice.
Limit sugar intake, including fruit juices
Try to drink 6 glasses of water every day
Start date is 4/17
3 month check is 7/17
6 month check is 10/17
Maintenance check is 1/17/2010
On January 17, we'll have a "weight maintenance" check in The one who has maintained their weight loss or lost more wins $200.
And that's it. Thanks to each of you for being willing to support each other. There is no better way, I think, to make a change than to have family support. And you're an awesome family! Good luck to each of us.
I love you!
Mom/Grandma
And there you have it! Let's remember to keep this positive and most importantly HAVE FUN!!!
Love you all!!!
Alicia
P.S. As of Friday, April 17th, my starting weight was 175. Jenna's is 132.
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